Dental Assistant salary in Montana
Dental Assistants in Montana earn a median of $46,680 a year ($22.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,450 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,900 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $48,070. Montana ranks 35th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 2.8 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $47,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| 25th percentile | $43,820 | $21.07 |
| Median | $46,680 | $22.44 |
| 75th percentile | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,900 | $27.84 |
| Average (mean) | $47,180 | $22.68 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,890 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,945 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,795.38 |
| Weekly | $897.69 |
| Hourly | $22.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,680 salary, see how much house you can afford in Montana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $49,160 | 190 |
| Billings, MT | $47,550 | 330 |
| Helena, MT | $46,870 | 130 |
| Missoula, MT | $46,550 | 210 |
| Great Falls, MT | $46,360 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,340 | $18.43 |
| Phlebotomist | $45,470 | $21.86 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $41,410 | $19.91 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,670 | $21.47 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| Massage Therapist | $53,540 | $25.74 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $41,340 | $19.88 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,630 | $17.61 |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,900 | $19.67 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $38,950 | $18.73 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $72,800 | $35.00 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Montana
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Montana?
The median salary for dental assistants in Montana is $46,680 a year, or $22.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Montana?
The top 10% of dental assistants in Montana earn at least $57,900 a year. The top 25% earn $49,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,340 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $43,820 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Montana?
About 1,450 dental assistants are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.